Chapter 31 (1/2)
31.KNIGHTHOOD AND CITIZENs.h.i.+P
“Hilda von Gardener. Step forward.”
“Yes!”
Finally the turn of the young aspirants came. Soon it would be Karl´s turn. Willian was looking at Karl, who was beside him. Because had his hands full just on himself, he hasn´t been paying attention to Karl. But then, just to be sure, Willian….
“…”
Karl was frozen stiff. Despite seeing that, Willian let out a smile instead.
“…I guess it will be difficult even if I was to tell him to calm down.”
As he was trembling, Karl turned his eyes to Willian.
“Wh-wh-what should I do. I-If I do any mistake in front of his Highness, my family will…”
Destruction would befall the Teirah family. It was obvious. This was the place Karl and his family were standing at. This was the feeling of tension of not knowing which words would inquire the anger of the monster that supported a kingdom in its back. It was more unreasonable to tell him not to feel pressured.
If there was the chance that the people Willian cared for were to get involved with that problem, he also wouldn´t be able to stay calm like he was now. Family was something distant in the past; him being by himself was the reason for his carefreeness. Perhaps in a certain sense this could be considered not being restrained by that heavy pressure.
Hence, Willian thought it should be fine if he was to lend his shoulder to Karl for just a little bit.
“That´s right… If you fail…”
With words of failure being spoken, Karl´s tension increased.
Hilda, who had received a special reward, was glancing at Karl´s direction with a worried face. If Karl was to fail, Lutogarde would also suffer for that. Perhaps it was because of that that she was being worried, or then, it was the pity of seeing an acquaintance suffering. If not, then perhaps…
“If you fail… then let us crumble together.”
“Bh!?”(ブヒォ！？)
Karl spat out in a weird manner. Fortunately, because the two were in a far away place, n.o.body heard it. Of course, something of this sort is to be taken into consideration. (TL note: Like when you spit what you are drinking when people get surprised at TV shows and so. I really just can´t find a verb for that anywhere -.-)
“I will take the prince as a hostage and have negotiations with the king. Then, we would seek asylum in Ostoberg or Garius or some other kingdom. While it would be a long travel, it would also be interesting if we were to go to the distant Arkland. How is it? Doesn´t it make you excited?”
Willian was saying absurd things. Even Karl knew all that were just dreams.
“This is not the time to be saying jokes.”
One after another the young aspirants were being called. It wouldn´t be weird if Karl was to be called next now.
“I´m not saying this as a joke. If you make any mistakes there, all I have to do is to simply do that. I have already visualized how it would happen. I will protect Louran-sama, Aianhart-sama and Lutogarde-sama too. From the beginning, since that time, I became your sword. I am not serving Arcadia; I am serving Karl von Teirah.”
In the inside, Willian was filled with lies. Willian felt a bit uneasy on how he was able to tell all that so smoothly. It was because of how it felt as if he was telling the truth that…
“Am I unworthy of it?”
Willian looked at Karl´s eyes. The eyes tell as much as the mouth. And that was why…
“You aren´t, you are good enough!”
Karl´s trembling stopped. It´s body that was stiffened had some of its limpness returned.
“Karl von Teirah, step forward.”
Karl´s turn came at last. Before, it wouldn´t have been weird if Karl had fainted at that moment. However, right now…
“Yes!”
He stuffed his chest with pride and walked forward.
“Be calm. I will be following behind you.”
“Yes!”
Karl advanced forward. Willian was the sword that protected Karl´s back. A sword of such loyalty that approached the extents of absolute sincerity. Karl didn´t have any doubts on such absoluteness. Because of that, Karl walked forward filled with confidence.
“Hou, so that´s the one of the Teirahs.”
The surrounding eyes slightly changed seeing his imposing standing figure.
“Karl, you…”
Hilda too showed surprise at the change Karl, who she knew since they were little, had.
“”Willian is together with me. He told me that. In that case, all I need to do is to believe.””
Without hesitations, his sight was directed to heavens. He looked at Eahart von Arcadia.
“”To me, Willian… is even higher than his Highness.””
Wind blew. Although for only an instant, there was no mistake. It was only a breeze, but it definitely happened.
“…Karl?”
This was the growth that not even Willian…. No, it was because it was Willian, who had been together with Karl all this time, that he had never expected: the growth of Karl von Teirah. It wasn´t just Willian to have come to that realization.
Karl got down on his knees and bowed his head down. His conduct was what was expected of a n.o.ble; it was refined.
“Ten-man leader Karl, the rumours about you have reached even my ears. Your military results were incredible. In the whole history of Arcadia, there hasn´t been any ten-man squad that has made as much excellent achievements as you. Therefore….”
Eahart took out the sword in his waist.
The place became in uproar. Cold sweat ran through Karl´s back as he wondered if he had committed any mistake. That was an instant of tension for Willian, who was watching that scene. If what he thought it was going to unfold happened to be the case, he would need to make his move.
“Karl von Teirah will be promoted from a ten-man squad leader to a hundred-man commander. In addition, I will grant Karl von Teirah the t.i.tle of knight!”
The place was in clamor. There were many that expressed their surprise with loud voices. Karl himself was also surprised. He was desperately making all his efforts to not let that feeling out of his mouth. However, sweat only increased on his back. What happened was something out of expectations for Willian. A ten-man squad captain receiving the t.i.tle of knight was something unheard of. Moreover, among the n.o.bles, Karl was only an emerging low-cla.s.s n.o.ble family that didn´t even have any connections. What just happened was impossible.
“Do you swear you will become a sword for the kingdom?”
The sword was softly put onto his shoulder. An impossible occurrence was happening.
“I swear on my sword.”
Eahart smiled when he heard that answer. He sheathed his sword and went back.
“Karl von Teirah, you may go now.”
“Ha!”
It happened for only a short time, but to Karl, it was like eternity. He had resolved himself and walked forward, but he couldn´t have expected that what awaited him was such an overwhelming thing.
“Th-this is bad Willian. I can´t breath…”